Ball's Bluff Battlefield and National Cemetery (Leesburg, Virginia) | place with historical importance, NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, historic district, American Civil War 1861-1865, U.S. National Historic Landmark

USA / Virginia / Leesburg / Leesburg, Virginia
 battlefield, place with historical importance, NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, historic district, American Civil War 1861-1865, U.S. National Historic Landmark
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On October 21, 1861, the Federals attempted to probe toward Leesburg at this point with a division. They crossed in boats and then came under attack from Confederates in the area. The Rebel fire was too hot for the men in blue, who scurried back to the river. There weren't enough boats to retreat quickly, so it was a disaster. Many surrendered. Others swam, many drowned as boats capsised. Many were shot as they hunkered near the bank. Some escaped after dark. It was the Union's second defeat in the Northern Virginia Theater.

The battlefield and cemetery are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), where it is designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark District.

See: www.nvrpa.org/parks/ballsbluff/index.php
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ball's_Bluff
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball's_Bluff_Battlefield_and_National_Cemetery
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   39°7'43"N   77°31'42"W

Comments

  • The Union HQ was in Poolesville. In the graveyards of a few churches in Poolesville, Beallsville, Dickerson, and Barnesville there are the graves of soldiers who died in this battle and in skirmishes throughout the war. If you go to the little white church on Willard right before it hits Fisher Ave in town there is a sign that shows various encampments of soldiers. There are around 20 soldiers burried there from Howard's Philidelphia Brigade. The sign by the barber shop at the corner also has some good info about the civil war in Poolesville. At the Catholic church in Barnesville John Mosby (Confederate Cavalry general) was almost captured. More civil war graves there as well. I think the Episcapal church on Fisher/Whites Ferry road has some too.
  • This is a very haunted place in Loudoun County. Some of my family members were chased out of there by spirits.
This article was last modified 3 years ago